Kinetic

By C. M. Zimmer

Ever since Kat's mom died suddenly four years ago, she has dreamed of the tall, dark and handsome hottie nearly every night. He is everything she could ever hope for in a guy. A soulmate for life.

Chris Karson is a Guardian and the time as come for him to take his responsibilities outside of the dream realm and enlighten Kathryn on who and what she is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press
• Release date: Jun 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781624202544

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Kinetic

The Kinetic Trilogies Book One

C. M. Zimmer

Published by Rogue Phoenix Press for Smashwords

Copyright © 2016

ISBN 978-1-62420-254-4

Electronic rights reserved by Rogue Phoenix Press, all other rights reserved by the author. The reproduction or other use of any part of this publication without the prior written consent of the rights holder is an infringement of the copyright law. This is a work of fiction. People and locations, even those with real names, have been fictionalized for the purposes of this story.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Dakota Dean Murphy. Your Earth life was cut short much too soon. You have left footprints on our hearts and have changed us forever. Heaven is lucky to have you as one of their Angels. Miss you always, Pretty Boy.

Acknowledgements

This book is also dedicated to my husband who is forever my soul-mate. You have been a very patient man over the past several months…oh wait, who am I kidding…ever since we have been married. Thank you for encouraging me to write my own book, giving me all the support I needed to pursue writing, and pushing me to finish. I know I drive you crazy more days than not, so thank you for being the most amazing husband ever. I love you with all that I am.

Chelsie Denise and Mackenzie Nicole…you are the sunshine in my world even on cloudy days. I love you both so much. I am very proud to be your mom. You girls mean the world to me so never forget how much you mean to me and how my love for you is never ending. Always push yourself to be the best you can be. Set goals and dreams and never give up on them!

Mom…you and I have the relationship every daughter should be able to have with her mother. I truly value what we have. Your love and guidance has always been there for me. Thank you for always believing in me.

Dad…no matter what, you're an amazing dad. Sometimes it just takes us a little longer to realize the important things in life, but now I have amazing values I can only hope my daughters will have too.

To my Best Friend, Buffy Sue, you have stood by my side through thick and thin, good days and bad days, but through it all, we remain strong. I know there are many times you have probably wanted to ring my neck for some thing or another, but you would never show any signs of it. I, on the other hand, usually let you know. I have learned so much from you about faith, attitude, and friendship. I honestly don't know what I would do without you. It's a good thing we have many, many more years to come. Rocking chairs, girl.

A BIG thanks to my ROCK STAR proofreaders. I love you gals; thanks for all the help and ideas you gave.

Prologue

Artemis

As the Goddess of Light, I bore a child with a mortal against the wishes of my father, Zeus. A daughter. Born on Earth. Her name…Kattlynn.

My brother, Apollo, felt jealous because I spent so much time with Orion, so he tricked me into using my skills as an archer to kill him. Orion was swimming in the ocean at a distance, becoming just merely an object in my vision. Apollo bet I would not be able to hit the target with an arrow. My competitiveness and confidence was always forefront in my mind and I took the shot. Archery skills were second to none for me.

After the loss of my one great love, Orion, my handsome mortal, I discovered I was pregnant with his child. The grief from killing the one man I truly loved consequently diverted my attention from my ever-growing abdomen.

Once I turned my dead lover into stars, I shot him into the night sky, where he remains as the constellation Orion. I vowed to never become vulnerable to romantic love again. He would be my only love. Or, so I thought.

When Zeus learned of the pregnancy, he became furious with me. This child will not be born within this realm, Artemis. God, our Father, has forbidden it. You know the consequences of your choice. You must leave this ethereal plane.

I knew why he was insistent my daughter could not be born here. I needed to travel to the Earth realm to deliver my one and only child. I wanted to challenge his authority, challenge everything, but deep within my soul, I knew I would lose this fight. I went to God, my true Father. I'd broken the rules, chosen not to obey our laws. The very laws allowing us to co-exist with the heavenly realm…are the ones I decided to ignore. I asked for forgiveness and what I received was more than I expected.

Chapter One

Kattlynn

I am utterly intrigued, fascinated and in awe of Chase Karson. I was so absorbed in taking in every ounce of his body, of discovering every inch of my very own soulmate, I lost myself in that very moment. I still shivered unexpectedly as his soft kisses trailed upward on my neck, leaving a moist path before moving up my chin and landing on my mouth. His lips gingerly roamed over mine with a pleasing gentleness at first, growing more intense and full of desire.

As he started to draw away, I hauled him back to me and kissed him thoroughly as he let out a soft moan. I pulled away and couldn't help but smile at him. His eyes met mine and the intensity between us in just one look produced a powerful energy. The feel of something much more sparked between us—a visible haze of current. Together, we are kinetic…kinetic energy.

He lifted his hand to my face and gently stroked my cheek as the other hand brushed my hair behind my ear. He murmured, Kitten, in a low growl, and his mouth was on mine again, kissing me with such tenderness and longing.

I loved the way he felt against me. Enthralled by the intoxicating scent which lingered abundantly within my senses, like the crisp, clean ocean breeze with essence of coconut oil.

Jolting me awake, I heard the sound of the alarm clock. I despised having to remove myself from these breathtaking moments. I wanted my dream life more than anything to be my real world. The thought of waking up without Chase was torture. When the hell am I actually going to meet him, be with him for real? Ugh. It all felt so real.

Each person in this world has a soulmate. Finding one person out of millions and millions—well, I imagine it would be tough. I, however, have known my soulmate since I was fifteen years old…when I realized the dream for what is was. It was my future. I could feel it within my heart. I haven't met my soulmate outside of my dreams, but I do know without a doubt he and I are meant to be; as if destiny was preparing me for our future together.

I was feeling pretty warm and fuzzy, and I didn't want to even think about getting ready for school. I ran my fingers through my hair and rubbed my hands over my face, just trying to wake myself up and shake the remainder of my dream. I noticed my lips felt slightly swollen as I remembered the dream kiss. What the…? I mumbled as I jumped out of bed and hurried over to the mirror. It reflected my seventeen-year-old image…long, dark hair with copper highlights shimmering here and there, sun-kissed skin and now apparently, red and swollen lips. My bright amethyst eyes were as huge as saucers as I gazed into the mirror. "Holy crap," I mouthed to myself. Stunned, just standing there, gently touching my lips with two fingers, my mind blank. It was crazy how real the dream seemed then when I actually felt my swollen lips...

With no time to replay the warm feeling and sensations from one amazing kiss, I was to start senior year in less than an hour at Crystal Creek Academy; it would have to wait.

While I was having my little freak out session, Archer, my white German Sheppard, came bounding in to say good morning. My mom gave Archer to me when I was ten years old. I swear he was the best present I'd ever gotten. He was my constant companion. He always seemed to have a very keen sense of my moods, especially when I needed him most. When my mom died, Archer never left my side while I cried every day and night, until there were no more tears. My mom always told me Archer was special and as he grew with me, I believed her. Such a faithful, non-judgmental best friend.

Thinking about my mom always brought back a flood of memories. I glanced over at my dresser and saw the picture of mom, dad and me at our cottage on Silver Lake. Every year, we would go to Lake Michigan for a month in the summer. My dad is a real estate land developer and received a pretty good deal on some property over there. Dad and mom sat down, drew up some plans and built a one-of-a-kind log home with the help of the local log home company. Our cottage, as dad called it, sat on a couple of acres right on the waters of Lake Michigan.

When you walk into the cottage from the covered porch, the first thing you see is the grand staircase made of large logs overlooking the family room with a beautiful view of the lake through the long rectangular windows. The fireplace sits centered in the middle of the lakeside wall and towers up to the cathedral ceilings that make the house look more massive than it really is. To the right, the kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances, and a large island in the center entices you to really want to cook something yummy. Then to the left, the hallway leads to the guest rooms, main floor laundry room and a full bathroom. If you head upstairs, there are three bedrooms furnished with king size log beds, built-in fireplaces and private patios.

My favorite place to be is on the covered porch that wraps around the house. Sitting on the swing with mom or dad, sometimes both, facing the lake with mom or dad or sometimes both, are some of my favorite memories at our lake house.

We didn't go the year mom died. Dad said it was just too hard…too many memories. Years came and went. We have missed seven years total. Dad has caretakers for the property, and we've been assured everything will be in place when we do decide to return. I plan to return this year. I always looked forward to going, almost drawn to our vacation home, and this was where I would be spending my free time during the year. I would be turning eighteen in less than a week, and dad decided I was responsible enough to receive a set of keys for myself.

My best friend in the whole world, Kenedi, was overly excited about having a girl's getaway to Lake Michigan. Kenedi and I have been friends since kindergarten. The one person who stood by me through the good times, bad times and worst times in my life. She loves to talk, whereas I'm more of a listener. Ying and Yang, my dad says. Kenedi is your typical beach blonde beauty. Long blonde hair framing her oval bronzed face and her tall, thin frame would have you thinking she was a Victoria's Secret model. But the most mesmerizing part of Kenedi is her eyes…green as Emerald City from the Wizard of Oz.

Lifers. This is what we always say to each other, because we're not just best friends for a moment, or a season, but for life.

Kenedi and I decided for each school break we have this year we would head over to the lake house. Our first trip was already planned for Thanksgiving. We would have our respective family dinners then start the eight-hour drive over to the west shore of Michigan.

Never needing much time to get ready in the morning, I finished brushing out my hair, applied some mascara to lengthen my way too short eyelashes, and headed downstairs to get my coffee and bagels.

He was already sitting at the table reading the paper while also listening to the news on TV. Good Morning, Kat, He pulled the corner of the Crystal Creek Times down low enough for me to see his charming boyish smile.

Sharing breakfast while dad looked over the news in the local paper was part of the morning ritual I always looked forward to. Hey, Dad, I replied as I took the bag of coffee out and prepared the pot. I proceeded to the toaster oven and popped in the bagels. The smell of fresh java brewing made me anticipate my morning cup.

Kat, I won't be home for dinner. I'm meeting with a client. I've been working to land this company for some time now and hope to lock it down with them tonight.

It's all good, Dad, I replied while pouring coffee into our waiting to-go cups. I'm sure it will all work out, but thanks for letting me know. I'll grab a sandwich at the deli after practice. What time do you think you'll be home?

Should be around nine. Hey, how's practice going? he inquired without looking up at me, but there was joy in his voice.

Bulls eye, every time. I laughed with my reply. As always. I wasn't bragging. I really was good. Archery was something I'd enjoyed since I was five years old. My mom was exceptionally good at it too. I obviously inherited the skills from her. I was the team captain at the academy and have been since freshman year. Expert